Detectives in County Durham have spoken of their relief no-one in the force area died of drink-related violence over the festive period.

Detectives in County Durham have spoken of their relief no-one in the force area died of drink-related violence over the festive period.

Before Christmas, Detective Superintendents Harry Stephenson and Tom Ryan issued a warning in the wake of a string of attacks in the previous 12 months which left several young men dead - most the victims of unprovoked attacks.

But the last fortnight has been unusually quiet in the county in terms of serious injury.

Det Supt Stephenson said: "It would be wrong to say the county was completely quiet, as we did have isolated incidents here and there.

"But I am relieved that over the festive period, we did not have to deal with any loss of life due to crime, or any incident where that seemed possible."